[Adopted 5-17-1993 as Ch.
12.16 of the 1993 Code; amended in its entirety 6-17-2013 by Order No. 2013-108]
As used in this article and Article II, City Harbor, of this chapter and in any regulations adopted pursuant to these articles, the following words shall have the following meanings, respectively:
The holding of a vessel in place by lowering a heavy weight
into the water by cable, chain, line or other method, or the device
used to so hold a vessel in place.
See "mooring area" below.
A navigable route for the passage of vessels, established
by customary use or under the authority of federal, state or municipal
law.
The making fast of a boat, raft, or float by means of cables,
anchors, lines, chains, or other device or contrivances to the ocean
bottom, the shore, or a dock, slip, pier, or marina, meaning and intending
that this phrase applies to boats, rafts or floats which are secured
to the ocean bottom, as well as to boats, rafts, or floats secured
to a dock or slip in a marina.
The securing or making fast of a boat, raft, or float by
means of cables, anchors, lines, chains, or other device or contrivances
to the ocean bottom, the shore, or a dock, slip, pier, or marina,
meaning and intending that this phrase applies to boats, rafts or
floats which are secured to the ocean bottom, as well as to boats,
rafts, or floats secured to a dock or slip in a marina.
A temporary, semipermanent, or permanent anchorage installation,
comprising an anchor, chain, and mooring buoy, or their equivalents.
Areas within Quincy waterways designated as areas for the
securing of vessels to the bottom of the waterway by use of an anchor
or mooring. Mooring areas shall include all areas of Quincy waterways
designated on the then current and applicable chart published by or
for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the area
within a marina or yacht club which area is properly licensed pursuant
to MGL c. 91, and such additional areas as the Harbor Master may establish.
[Amended 6-1-2020 by Order
No. 2020-012]
A vessel that is actually being propelled or operated by
mechanical means, meaning by use of one or more engines or electric
motors.
An individual, a receiver, a trustee, a partnership, joint
venture, a firm, an unincorporated association, a syndicate, a trust,
a corporation, or any other entity having legal personality.
The navigable bodies of water within the limits of the City
of Quincy, including, without limitation, the ponds, rivers, streams,
seas, and oceans.
Inclusively, to the extent permitted by law, watercraft of
every description, including but not limited to ships of all kinds,
barges, sailing vessels, craft and powerboats of any type or kind
by whatever means propelled; every object designed, adapted or capable
of being navigated, towed or operated on water from place to place
for the transportation of merchandise, people, or for any other purpose
(except a seaplane); or other artificial contrivance used or capable
of being used as a means of transportation on water, and as otherwise
construed under Massachusetts and/or federal law.
A.
Safe operation
required. No person shall operate a motor vessel on Quincy waterways
so that the lives, safety and property of the public might be endangered.
B.
Minimum
distance from swimming areas. All motor vessels shall keep 150 feet
distance from swimming areas. A swimming area shall extend 150 feet
from the water's edge at shore.
C.
Minimum
distance from moored or anchored boats. All motor vessels shall keep
150 feet distance from moored or anchored boats except when leaving
or returning to their moorings or the shore.
D.
Wake restrictions.
No motor vessel shall be operated at a speed greater than minimum
headway speed or in excess of six miles per hour, whichever is slower,
within 150 feet of water's edge at shore or within a mooring
area. Vessels and the owner and operator thereof are responsible for
all damage caused by their wake.
A.
No motor
vessel shall be used to tow people, or to tow people on tubes, water
skis, aquaplanes or other device, unless said boat shall be occupied
by no fewer than two persons, one of whom shall give his full attention
to the operation of the boat and the other of whom shall give his
full attention to the person or persons being towed. Tow boats must
be equipped with a boarding ladder or swim platform.
B.
Permitted
locations for waterskiing. Waterskiing is permitted in the following
areas: Town River Flats, Rock Island Cove, Recreation Station at Chapel
Street, between the Merrymount Anchorage area and Ruff's Hummock
on Wollaston Boulevard, between Moon Head and Peterson's Rocks,
between Chapel Rocks and Moon Head westerly and between Halftide Rock
and Squaw Rock, and in such other areas where there is sufficient
clear area and depth of water so as to do so safely.
[Added 6-1-2020 by Order
No. 2020-016]
A.
Any company
operating upon the jurisdictional waters of the City of Quincy that
conducts recreational vessel commercial assistance, vessel salvage,
or towing of recreational vessels may not conduct such operations
without first reporting the following information to the Quincy Police
Department:
(1)
Company
information.
(2)
Registration
number and registration status (active or expired) of recreational
vessel to be salvaged or towed.
(3)
Recreational
vessel owner contact information (including cell phone and mailing
address).
(4)
Present
location of recreational vessel to be towed.
(5)
Marine
facility or final destination where the vessel will be towed to.
(6)
Name
of authorizing point of contact at marine facility where recreational
vessel is being towed to.
B.
In addition, it shall be a condition of such operations that the recreational vessels involved have current identifying information readily available, so as to ensure compliance with requirements in Subsection A(2) and (3) above. Any such vessel with expired or improper federal or state registrations shall not be towed without the express permission of the Chief of the Quincy Police Department or the Chief's designee.
C.
This section
is intended to procure basic identifying information only, so as to
ensure that the interests of the boating community are properly preserved/protected
in regard to such operations.
[Amended 6-1-2020 by Order
No. 2020-012]
This article is to be enforced by the Harbor Master, Assistant
Harbor Masters, and any police officer authorized to make arrests
in the City. Violations of this article shall, for each offense, be
punished by a fine of $50. All such fines shall be paid to the general
fund of the City.
This article is enacted by the City of Quincy independently
from any state law regarding the operation of vessels upon the waters
of the commonwealth. All vessels being operated in Quincy waterways
are expected to comply with both the laws of the commonwealth and
the ordinances of the City of Quincy. In the event of a conflict between
such laws and ordinances, the law of the commonwealth shall prevail.
